Prince Harry Completes Skydiving Promise, Calls Meghan Markle
The Duke of Sussex jumped with a 102-year-old WWII veteran to support Canadian charities.
Prince Harry fulfilled a promise to skydive with a 102-year-old World War II veteran, immediately contacting his wife, Meghan Markle, afterward to assure her of his safe landing.
The royal undertook the jump in Toronto on Friday to raise awareness and funds for two Canadian military charities: the True Love Patriot Foundation and Sunnybrook. The event also served to promote the Invictus Games, scheduled to take place in Birmingham in 2027.
Last year, Harry met veteran Ed Marshall, who shared that he had skydived on his 100th birthday. Inspired by Marshall's adventurous spirit, Harry pledged to join him for a skydive upon his return to Toronto.
"I’m not in the business of letting people down, but you cannot let a 102-year-old veteran down," Harry explained.
He also expressed his fondness for Canada, stating, "I love Canada. My wife lived here for seven years; most people thought that she was Canadian. Look, Canada has a very special, a special place in my heart."
Speaking to CTV, Harry mentioned that while he did not need to "convince" Markle, she was "very relieved once we were down." He added, "It took a while to get up, so I think she was like, ‘Are they down yet? Are they down yet?’"
The Duke reportedly kissed the ground upon his safe return.
Recently, the couple returned to the United Kingdom with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, after several years residing in Montecito, California. "It’s been great to be back on British soil," Harry commented, adding that "The kids are happy in school and it gives me a chance to really focus on Invictus in Birmingham."
When asked about the reasons for their move back, Harry was indirect, telling a reporter it was for "lots of reasons."
The children had initially been enrolled in a UK preparatory school, but due to travel logistics and security concerns, they were withdrawn after just two days and subsequently enrolled in a different institution.
Earlier in the week, Harry made a brief visit to New York to speak at the Clinton Global Initiative.
The couple's decision to move back to the UK was not immediately explained. They initially relocated in 2020, following the birth of Prince Archie, and subsequently stepped down from their roles as working members of the royal family.